Final answer:
John Smith used the third person in his writings to appear more objective and establish credibility (ethos), distancing himself from the narrative to convey a factual recount rather than a personal story.
Step-by-step explanation:
John Smith refers to himself in the third person in his writings about Virginia for several reasons. One common reason for this narrative point of view is to provide a more objective-sounding perspective, which can lend credibility to the account. Smith wished to establish ethos, presenting himself as a credible figure with valuable experiences that could speak to the general population and convey the complex lives of individuals in society at that time. It can be seen as a stylistic choice to distance the author from the subject matter, allowing readers to view the events from a broader perspective. In historical accounts, the third-person narrative may also imply that the information presented is a factual recounting rather than a personal narrative, which could resonate more strongly with the readers or the audience he intended to influence, such as the Virginia Company or investors.